Smoking and Your Oral Health

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    smoking and oral health

    Smoking and Your Oral Health

    Many people don’t realize the negative smoking can have on their oral health. It’s also a major cause of bad breath.

    How does smoking affect your oral health? 

    1. Gum disease
      Gum disease is the most common cause of tooth loss. Smoking can interfere with normal gum cells making them more susceptible to infection, inflammation, and can cause delayed healing. Smoking allows more calculus and plaque to build up on teeth which leads to further gum inflammations.
    2. Effects on teeth
      Smoking causes mouth dehydration and more plaque buildup. This allows more bacteria to grow and may lead to more cavities. Smokers also suffer from teeth stains as It causes the teeth to become yellow in a very short time – and possibly brown after years of smoking.
    3. Bad breath/taste
      Smokers are more likely to have bad breath, metallic taste, and taste alterations than non-smokers.
    4. Interfering with dental procedures
      Smoking causes a delayed healing process after tooth extraction, periodontal treatment, and oral surgery, resulting in painful dry sockets, further infections, and bleeding. Smoking can even lower the success rate of the dental implant procedure.
    5. Increase the risk of mouth diseases
      Besides dental problems, smoking can increase the risk of having oral and gum diseases. Smoking is one of the main causes of mouth cancer as well.

    Extra protection: 

    As a smoker, an oral hygiene routine should be one of your top priorities. Mouthwash and abrasive toothpaste are recommended. Visit our office and we can help you take proper care of your teeth and gums at home.

    Regularly visit our office to make sure that your whole mouth is healthy. We can be reached online or you can call to schedule an appointment by calling 828-631-3283.

    Sincerely,

    David S. McGuire, DDS

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